Trail of Terror will return, just in time for Halloween

The Trail of Terror that the Southern Plains Co-op hosted last year proved to be a popular event, so it will return in 2018. File photo

The Southern Plains Co-op will once again offer a fright night to the public, with its second annual Trail of Terror on Oct. 27 at the Prette trails inside Woodlawn Regional Park.

Carol McKay, the human resources manager with the Southern Plains Co-op, said the festivities will begin at 6 p.m. She encouraged people to access the trails by entering at the main gate, and then taking the access road to Rotary Park, and following the parking signs.

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From there, people will cross a bridge to the actual Trail of Terror, and there will be hot dogs and hot chocolate available. People are encouraged to wear their costume, because McKay believes that’s a big part of Halloween.

Participants will make one big loop around the Preddy Trail. All of the exits for the trail are cut off so that people won’t get lost.

The first event in 2017 was a great and popular event, McKay said, but she said it was also a learning experience.

“We have the schools again involved with carving pumpkins for the trail,” said McKay. “We have some new tricks and trades going up in the trail itself.”

About 20 new spook stations have been added for this year, and volunteers are eager to serve as the creepers who will scare the participants. The co-op has purchased a new prop that will be the individual who will greet people when they cross the bridge, and McKay said the prop looks great.

“There are lots of witches, lots of goblins, some skeletons … we have some scary-looking clowns,” said McKay.

One of the big changes for this year will be the parking. People will be guided to the appropriate area, and McKay hopes that will solve parking issues that occurred last year.

They have also increased the size of the barbecue and the quantity of the food prepared.

“We’re just gearing up for it to be bigger and better again this year. Being prepared is our biggest thing.”

There will also be improved lighting, although McKay said it will be pitch black outside, which adds to the event.

“It’s the ambiance that you want for a Trail of Terror,” said McKay.

McKay said the co-op is pleased to offer this event for the community and for the local youth.

“I think it is exciting for our community to have something for the little guys to go to, and Halloween is a fun time. It’s not meant to be scary and all of the negative side of it. It’s a fun, a good family fun event. That’s our goal with it, and that’s how we’re going to keep working it.”

The co-op received lots of positive feedback from last year’s Trails of Terror, and so they wanted to host the event again. When the letters went out to the schools, they were eager to be involved.

“People are asking about it already, if we are doing the Trail of Terror,” said McKay.

Her only hope is that the city won’t have two feet of snow on the ground by the time the day of the Trail of Terror arrives.

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